Vietnam prepares to include rotavirus vaccine in expanded immunisation programme

Illustrative image (Photo: Vinmec)

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam is expected to receiveover 100,000 doses of rotavirus vaccine next year for pilot use before makingthem available in its expanded programme on immunisation (EPI) that offers freevaccination to under-1 children.

According to the Ministry of Health, its competent agenciesare seeking permission for the reception of the vaccine supported by theGlobal Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

As planned, related training will be held in late 2022, withthe doses arriving in the country in February 2023. They will first be used in vaccinationprogrammes, particularly in disadvantaged areas, before becoming part of the EPI.

To date, the number of vaccines under the EPI has amountedto about 10.

In the long run, the Government has issued a resolution onthe roadmap to increase the diversity of the vaccines in the programme, which plansthe use of those against Rotavirus from 2022-2023, pneumococcal disease from2025, cervical cancer from 2026, and seasonal flu from 2030./.

VNA